THE metro’s water department reacted quickly a few weeks ago when a Birchleigh resident reported she had found a worm in her tap water.
The complainant was immediately contacted and arrangements were made to get the worm to a laboratory for proper identification, since it was still alive, Themba Gadebe, metro spokesman, said.
“Identification of the worm is extremely important to know if we are dealing with the larvae of an insect or with a nematode (round worm), in investigating how it could find its way into the tap.”
The worm was identified as being a larva from the order Diptera, an insect such as a chironomid (non-biting midges), which lay their eggs in a range of humid habitats. It could therefore have crawled into
the tap mouth to lay eggs.
These larvae are also known as blood worms, because of the red colouring.
Gadebe said the water quality section of the metro was informed about the incident at 3pm on February 25.
“At the time it was explained to the complainant that a worm would not have survived the pressure in the water distribution network of the municipality, nor even just remain intact. Therefore it was most likely originating from a localised infiltration/contamination issue.
“An inspection and testing of the water in the house, in comparison with the water distribution system, was also arranged for Monday morning, February 29, at which time the identity would be known.
“It was also conveyed to the complainant that the reservoirs and various taps throughout Ekurhuleni are regularly monitored to confirm acceptable water quality. Feedback in this regard was also given to the community forum. The forum wanted to know if they needed to advise residents to buy bottled water, Gadebe said.
“It was indicated that this was definitely not necessary, since the drinking water in Ekurhuleni is of excellent quality and the people were cautioned against thinking that there are worms in the network because one worm was found at one home.
“When the complainant was contacted the Monday morning to arrange the inspection and sampling, she indicated there was no need for this, since the problem was no longer there.
“The Ekurhuleni water quality section wishes to assure the public of the safety of the drinking water supplied,” Gadebe concluded.
